A remarkable discovery is set to be revisited in a forthcoming episode of Antiques Roadshow, with expert Frances Christie declaring it “one of the best I’ve seen.” The episode, originally filmed at Pollok Country Park in Glasgow, centers around an unassuming painting acquired for a mere £5.
The artwork, revealed to be the work of Dorothy Steel – an artist Christie believes deserves far greater recognition – captivated the art specialist.
“This is a truly exciting find for Antiques Roadshow,” Christie noted before questioning the couple who own the piece about its origin.
The couple recounted acquiring the painting two decades ago: “I found it in a charity shop, not too far from here,” one explained. “I recognized immediately that it was a quality painting, certainly worth the £5.”
Pressed on what drew them to the artwork, he responded, “It depicts a typical scene of west Scotland—docks and shipyard cranes are visible against the backdrop of tenements.” He continued, “My guess is either Port Glasgow or Greenock, Dorothy Steel’s hometown. The colors appealed to me; it has that impressionistic softness, beautiful light, and most importantly, the subject matter.”
His companion added: “It possesses a wonderful flatness about it—very attractive.”
Christie elaborated on Steel’s background, stating, “She attended the Glasgow School of Art. You can see her incredible facility with color and light; she was clearly drawn to the landscapes surrounding her.”
“She lived and painted in and around Glasgow her entire life,” Christie explained. “This painting perfectly showcases what Steel excelled at—capturing scenes familiar to her daily existence. It depicts a view that has, sadly, largely disappeared.”
“I’m not sure if these tenements still exist,” she continued, “but from a social history perspective, returning to the mid-20th century when Steel was painting, it would likely have been bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the area today along the Clyde.”
When reminded of their initial investment, one of the guests playfully remarked, “We probably spent more on the taxi fare that day; it was raining quite heavily!”
Christie’s assessment grew even more enthusiastic: “In my opinion, this is likely one of the finest examples of Steel’s work I’ve ever encountered.”
She estimated a potential auction value between £3,000 and £5,000, prompting an astonished response from the couple.
“Oh my goodness,” the woman exclaimed, while her companion replied with a delighted, “Oh, nice! Wow.”
“I can’t think of any better fivers I’ve ever spent,” the man chuckled, affirming that he felt he had received exceptional value for money.
The woman concluded, seemingly indicating their intention to keep the painting, “I’m very pleased it’s worth a lot of money, but it’s worth far more than that to me.”
Here are some key highlights:
- Dorothy Steel’s work is undervalued and deserves more recognition.
- The couple purchased the painting for £5 at a charity shop.
- Christie estimates the value to be between £3,000-£5,000.
- The painting depicts a disappearing landscape of mid-20th century Glasgow.
